Baobab Symbol of The African Savanna

The tree sheds its leaves during the dry season, which can last most of the year depending on the climate zone. Leaves are digitate, normally having 5 leaflets when mature. The leaflets have entire margins and are elliptic to obovate-elliptic, with acuminate apex and a decurrent base.


Mature leaf size may reach a diameter of 20 cm. The flowers bloom during the wet season and the dry season as well. They are very large and suspended on long peduncles. The fruit is bottle or cucumber shaped and develops 5-6 months after florescence. It has a woody outer shell, 7.5-54 cm long x 7.5-20 cm wide, covered by velvety yellowish, sometimes greenish hairs.


The internal fruit pulp is split into mealy agglomerates that enclose several reniform seeds (approximately 10 mm long) (Sidibe and Williams, 2002). Because of its great size and diffusion, the Baobab is an extremely the impressive tree. It symbolizes the African savanna better than any other plant. Its spongy wood does not burn; therefore the plant is protected from fire. Hollowed out baobab trunks in the vicinity of villages are used for water storage.


In areas where the baobab tree grows, there are traditions that prohibit communities from cutting down the baobab tree and any other fruit bearing trees. Where there has been extensive deforestation, this has resulted in a situation whereby the baobab and other fruit trees are the only trees to remain standing (Kurebgaseka, 2005). The baobab tree is also a good fodder tree especially for game. Cattle eat the leaves and flowers that would otherwise fall to the ground. Baobab roots can be tapped where water is a problem.

Baobab Regional Names

Kremetartboom, kremetart (Afrikaans)
Humier (fruit), hamao, gungole (fruit), teidoum, tebeldi, tabaldi, hamaraya (Arabic)
Mubuyu (Bemba); mapou zombi (Creole)
Sour gourd, monkey bread tree, lemonade tree, baobab, cream-of-tartar tree, guinea tamarind, upside-down tree (English)
Pain de singe, calebassier, mapou etranger, arbre aux calabasses, mapou zombi (French)
Boki, bokchi (Fula)
Affenbrotbaum (German)
kuka (Hausa)
Gorakh-imli, gorakh-cinch, gorak amla, khura-sani-imli, gorak ali, gorak lichora, kapla-vriksha (Hindi)
Muyu, mubuyu (Lozi)
Sito, sira (Mandinka)
Mlambe, mkulukumba, mbuyu (Nyanja)
Aliha gaha (Sinhala)
Yak (Somali)
Mbuyu (Swahili)
Anaipuli, paparapulia, perruka, anaipuliya-maram (Tamil)
Momret, hermer banba, kommer, duma (Tigrigna)
Mubuyu (Tongan)
Mowana (Tswana)
Bui, buee, goui, gui, gwi (Wolof)
IsiMuku, umShimulu, isiMuhu (Zulu)

What Will Happen When the Baobab Goes Global?

By DAWN STARIN
New York Times
May 25, 2009


IT’s known as the baobab in English, sito in Mandinka, gwi in Wolof and Adansonia digitata in botanical circles. Sometimes it’s called the upside-down tree, because its weirdly shaped branches resemble roots. It was made famous in the West by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s fable “The Little Prince.”


In Africa, the baobab tree is steeped in mystique and surrounded by superstition. Many people believe that its spirit protects the community around it, and its tangible properties certainly nourish those who live near it. Parts of the tree are used to make rope and fishing line; to feed goats, sheep and cows; and to provide shelter, food and medicine.


While living in Gambia I saw parts of the baobab used to treat everything from malarial fever, infertility and asthma to headaches and toothaches. I have no idea if and how these local remedies worked, but all of a sudden the rest of the world — Western health food companies included — is catching on. There’s a growing belief that the baobab may be the world’s newest super food.


The tree’s white, powdery fruit is rich in antioxidants, potassium and phosphorus, and has six times as much vitamin C as oranges and twice as much calcium as milk. The leaves are an excellent source of iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum and phosphorus, and the seeds are packed with protein.


The baobab was approved for European markets last year, and the Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow suit soon. The fruit’s dry pulp will be sold as an ingredient in smoothies and cereal bars. Already, a small jar of African baobab jam made in England sells for around $11. According to the Natural Resources Institute in Britain, an international baobab industry could bring in about $1 billion a year and provide jobs for 2.5 million African families. On paper this sounds great, but there’s another side to the picture.


The baobab has never been a plantation tree; it grows wild in arid regions. (It can also be found in Australia, but it thrives in few other places outside Africa.) Presently people harvest only what they need and maybe a bit more to sell at local markets. If it becomes an international commodity, the baobab probably would need to be planted as a crop, even though arable soil is limited. The open land where local people now freely harvest wild baobab could be developed by agribusinesses into plantations, or else precious forests or farmland used to grow everyday staple crops could be turned over to the baobab export industry.


Although local people would probably find jobs on such farms, their ability to harvest or purchase the baobab themselves would be limited. They wouldn’t be able to pay as much as London dealers could. This means that some Africans could lose a source of household wealth, an important part of their diet and an essential pharmaceutical resource.


These possibilities — not to mention the threat of corruption, poor wages and genetic modification leading to a loss of the tree’s biodiversity — are not random predictions. Africa is no stranger to the overexploitation of its natural resources. But the solution isn’t necessarily to cut the baobab off from international markets. Regulations could be put in place to protect the tree, its environment and the people who depend on it — and still allow for profitable production.


The coffee trade provides a model. It’s clear that many consumers are willing to pay more for fairly traded coffee — which costs enough to provide the growers a decent wage for their labor. This bottom-up pricing should be applied to the baobab market, even if it means European health nuts have to pay a lot for their smoothies.


The baobab’s new popularity is exciting, but the European Union, the United States and African exporters should decide on regulations before the baobab is rushed to European and North American markets.


In Saint-Exupéry’s story, the planet the Little Prince lives on is too small to support the baobab. This is hardly our situation, but the Little Prince still has some useful advice for us: Taking care of your planet, he says, “is very tedious work, but very easy.”


Dawn Starin is an anthropologist.

The Sacred Baobab Forest

Makasutu a 500-hectare piece of bush in the Kombo central district of the republic of The Gambia is deemed by some to be protected by an ancient sprit. They say he is there in the form of a ninkinanko or dragon, and protects the hidden crown and clothes of King Jatta from Busumbala who was killed 200 years ago by the Muslim king Kombo Silla on his way east to take over the country. Jatta's men took the crown and clothes and placed them for safekeeping in the area of Makasutu, now known as the Big Forest.


This skyline of ancient baobab and strangler trees looms over the eastern end of Makasutu and is now under the self-imposed guardianship of Echin, a Jola tribesman.The Ninki Nanko is not the only presence there to ward off encroaching. Along with him are jinns and giants -- spectral creatures that straddle animism and Islam.

They help watch over an Edenesque orchard, which is thought to appear to those with a purity of heart trekking across the land. Mandingo tribesmen tell you in ominous undertones that you can eat the fruit of the orchard while you are in the forest but can never leave with it. 

When the Islamic wave came down through the Sahara in the 12th century it gave Makasutu its name, and greater protection from the men who wanted to ravage the bush of timber and wildlife. It became a place of prayer, and so a Mecca (Maka) in the forest (sutu). It was strictly protected by local kings and marabouts who said that no tree could be felled or animal hunted in the sacred grounds. The land until the turn of the century was used only for godly communion.


Men prayed and boys recently circumcised in the name of Allah were brought to bathe in Mandina Bilon -- a tributary of the main Gambia river that lies five kilometres to the north. The Bilon brings fish to Makasutu as the tide swells; from its sandy banks grow thick lines of mangroves, and from their grey tentacles the Koran women collect oysters.

As the 20th century moved in Makasutu with its untouched supply of wood and wildlife became a new mecca for the people of Kembujeh and neighbouring villages.  It was on the verge of being stripped bare, when in 1992 Lawrence Williams,an architect, and James English, an engineer, came across the land and decided it would make a perfect location for a retreat and oasis for overlanders coming down off the Sahara.

They bought the land from the Sanni family who had ancient ownership rights, and after eight years of fencing and planting thousands of trees the land once again has found a protectorate.Makasutu has become a model for ecotourism in Africa.

Local women continue to grow crops on the western portion, and oyster women come and collect as ever, but now the birds are returning in droves to the trees and baboons stop at the safe haven on their migration route.

Momadou Jeeba, a Jola tribesman, has been manager at Makasutu for the past seven years and revealed that long before Williams and English arrived he and others had dreams that two whites would come by river and settle at Makasutu and keep it from harm -- a myth that has now turned into reality.

Baobab Composition and Nutritional Value

Several authors have published about baobab food products. Data on macronutrients, micronutrients, amino acids, and fatty acids were collected from literature for pulp, leaves, seeds, and kernels of the baobab tree. 


The results show that baobab pulp is particularly rich in vitamin C; consumption of 40 g covers 84 to more than 100% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of pregnant women (19-30 years). 


The leaves are particularly rich in calcium (307 to 2640 mg/100 g dw), and they are known to contain good quality proteins with a chemical score of 0.81. 


The whole seeds and the kernels have a relatively high lipid content, 11.6 to 33.3 g/100 g dw and 18.9 to 34.7 g/100 g dw, respectively. 


The pulp and leaves exhibit antioxidant properties with a higher activity in the pulp than in the leaves. 


Reported nutrient contents of different baobab parts show a large variation, which may have arisen from various factors.

250g de pulpe de fruit de Baobab Bio

Baomix "La force du Baobab" 
PULPE DE FRUIT DE BAOBAB BIOLOGIQUE
- 44% de fibres
- 3 fois plus de calcium que le lait
- des propriétés naturelles antioxydantes
- l'aide à l’assimilation et la biodisponibilité du calcium et du fer
- retrouver et/ou conserver une bonne vitalité


UTILISATION: Pour préparations culinaires ou cocktails, dissoudre deux cuillères à café de poudre dans un verre d'eau, de jus de fruits, de thé glacé, de lait ou yaourt une ou deux fois par jour.


Découvrez aussi le petit déjeuner tonique en ajoutant à votre bol de cacao 2 cuillères à café de Baomix (en poudre).
BAOMIX NE CONTIENT PAS DE CONSERVATEUR OU COLORANT - SANS GLUTEN

COMPOSITION DE BAOMIX BIO: 100% de la pulpe du fruit de l’Adansonia Digitata (Baobab biologique)

UTILISATION: Pour préparations culinaires ou cocktails, dissoudre deux cuillères à café de poudre dans un verre d'eau, de jus de fruits, de thé glacé, de lait ou yaourt une ou deux fois par jour. Découvrez aussi le petit déjeuner tonique en ajoutant à votre bol de cacao 2 cuillères à café de BAOMIX BIO.

La pulpe de pulpe de Baobab Biologique au goût sucré et acidulé contient de la Thiamine (vitamine B1) et de la riboflavine (vitamine B2), essentielle à une bonne régénération des cellules souches de la peau ainsi  que de la niacine (vitamine Pp B3), efficace dans la régulation de nombreuses fonctions métaboliques. La poudre de pulpe est également  très riche en minéraux, calcium, fer, potassium, magnésium, manganèse, phosphore, zinc ainsi qu'en acides gras essentiels.

2 cuillères à café de  BAOMIX BIOLOGIQUE contiennent 44% de fibres dont 22,4% soluble et 22,6% insoluble. Les fibres solubles naturelles sont équilibrantes et fortifiantes pour la flore intestinale et participent à un bon transit.

Excellent complément alimentaire pour la diététique du sportif, 100 g de BAOMIX contient 7 fois plus de vitamine C que l’orange (300mg) et 3 fois plus de calcium que le lait (295mg).

Les propriétés naturelles antioxydantes BAOMIX BIO jouent un rôle essentiel dans la  lutte contre l’excès de radicaux libresresponsables du vieillissement prématuré des cellules: une arme pour combattre stress et fatigues passagères. Les antioxydants contenus par BAOMIX sont les plus efficaces de la classe hydrophile. Ils participent à plusieurs processus métaboliques essentiels : - la production de collagène  - la biosynthèse des hormones (stéroïdes), des tissus conjonctifs et des neurotransmetteurs.

L’acide ascorbique contenu naturellement dans BAOMIX  BIOLOGIQUE augmente l’assimilation et la biodisponibilité du calcium et du fer.

BAOMIX BIO  est particulièrement recommandé à toute personne désirant retrouver et/ou conserver une bonne vitalité : Séniors, enfants en phase de croissance, étudiants, sportifs, ... Complément nutritionnel d'un bon équilibre, à ne pas utiliser comme substitut d'un régime alimentaire varié.

Baobab Hair Products

Baobab Hair Gel


Composition:
• Baobab: Arbre d'Afrique aux vertus protectrices, gainantes et fixantes.
• Caramel: Colorant naturel brun.
• Huile essentielle d'agrumes: Favorise la beauté et la résistance capillaire.


Application:
• S'utilise au coiffage sur cheveux séchés.
• Permet une fixation naturelle à effet mémoire.
• Apporte un léger effet mouillé.

50ml

Bio émulsion au masculin, pour le visage.

Dans La Crème de l’Homme, vous trouverez du Bambou aux propriétés reminéralisantes et raffermissantes. De l’huile bio de graines de Baobab, riche en acides gras essentiels aux propriétés régénérantes, qui aide à lutter contre les radicaux libres. 


Du Chanvre bio, raffermissant et réparateur, du calcium aux vertus antioxydantes, de l’extrait de Ginseng, stimulant et tonifiant. De quoi vous permettre de profiter de la vie en toute bonne conscience !


Vous retrouverez aussi : du jus d’Aloe vera, des huiles bio de Jojoba et Sésame, de l’Acide Hyaluronique naturel, de l’extrait de feuilles d’Olivier, des huiles essentielles de Cèdre, Santal et Marjolaine…


Cette Crème peut être additionnée d’une goutte de Solution + (sérum extrêmement concentré en actifs) Absolution, pour potentialiser et orienter son effet suivant le besoin du moment.


Le flacon airless a été spécialement pensé pour rendre ce geste très simple et ludique : le pot de crème forme une coupelle où il suffit de déposer une goutte de la solution choisie pour faire son mélange sur mesure.

Gambia 5 Star Beachside Estate

Gambia 5 Star Property

£395,000  GMD 17,380,000 $651,750 €442,400 5 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms Built 2008 Land size 1 hectre

Description

Luxury Four / Five Bedroom Mansion with huge relaxing gardens and swimming pool.


This truly unique and newly built grand mansion is set a huge 8,000 square metre plot situated in the tranquil village of Tujereng, approximately one mile from the beach , near to the coastal highway. This property offers further development potential due to its large plot size but makes an ideal luxury residence.

The house has over 580 square meters of living space comprising of: four large bedrooms, each with walk in closet and en-suite bathroom, there is also a further room which can be used as either a fifth bedroom / study or 2nd sitting room with family bathroom. With a beautiful modern european style kitchen and separate formal dining room plus utility / store room. 

The main living area is designed using large windows and French doors to maximise natural lighting and to enhance views overlooking swimming pool, covered entertaining area & rear garden. The grounds of the property include: vegetable garden, a large double garage / store, generator room, parking for numerous vehicles, staff quarters, plus water borehole. The property is supplied via mains electricity.

Exceptional residence for the discerning purchaser

Contact Africanblog@gmail.com

Principles Only No Agents

Baobab Jam

Stemming from Fruit of the Baobab (or Monkey bread), this extra jam specially come from Senegal offers a quite African flavour. It is to sample at any time of the day, with some bread or yoghurt, or for the realization of desserts. 
We find it look like quince jam !

Prepared with 50g of fruit per 100g of the finished product.
Total sugar content : 60g per 100g.

Baume Karité Baobab Gingembre Bio Emma Noël

Baume Karité Baobab Gingembre Bio Emma Noël a un excellent pouvoir hydratant apporté par l'huile de baobab. A base de beurre de karité et d'huile de baobab, ce baume peut s'utiliser quotidiennement en crème hydratante sur le visage et le corps pour une action anti-rides. En synergie avec l'huile de baobab et l'huile essentielle de gingembre, il vous apportera un effet tonifiant. 

Les spécifiques - soin des cheveux : - Baobab 100 ml

Baobab intensive hair treatments

Soins des yeux Bio

Ce soin contour des yeux Bio à la texture gel-crème a été spécialement formulé pour les zones fragiles du contour des yeux. En complément de l'action anti-âge du complexe des huiles essentielles, la sève de Baobab aux effets tenseur et hydratant lisse visiblement le contour de l'oeil. L'extrait de Bleuet  apaise et décongestionne. Grâce à des réflecteurs naturels de lumière, cernes et poches sont estompés. Votre regard est plus jeune et détendu.

Le coeur du Baobab

Le coeur du Baobab - Fluide tonifiant Bio - Douces Angevines 


125 ml  -  Composition naturellement réchauffante, idéale pour les frileux ! 

Le fluide tonifiant Le coeur du Baobab Douces Angevines nourrit la peau en profondeur grâce à l'huile de Noisette qu'il contient. La muscade, la cannelle et le gingembre apportent énergie et force. La vanille, quant à elle, adoucit le tout par son odeur subtile.
Le coeur de Baobab convient à tous les types de peaux.

Composition

15 plantes et fleurs, Sésame*, Noisette*, Synergie d’huiles essentielles dont Cardamome*, Cannelle*, Gingembre, Muscade, Vanille*...
*ingrédients issus de l’agriculture biologique. Issu du règne végétal.

100% du total des ingrédients d’origine naturelle et 99,22 % du total des ingrédients issus de l’agriculture biologique.

 

Baobab Face Cream

Sérum concentré réparateur Baobab 50ml Themis

Le Sérum Concentré Réparateur Thémis est un véritable soin d'exception pour répondre aux besoins spécifiques des peaux les plus exigeantes : il apaise instantanément toutes sensations d'irritation, nourrit en profondeur et protège des agressions extérieures. Les peaux les plus fragiles sont immédiatement et durablement réconfortées, réparées, elles retrouvent souplesse et confort.

Pour leurs propriétés uniques, Themis a sélectionné pour vous des actifs naturels d'exception : baobab bio, aloe vera bio, glycérine végétale bio, vitamine E naturelle, beurre de karité bio et acide hyaluronique naturel.

Marque: Thémis

PROTOCOLE HAUTE TOLERANCE :
Le protocole Haute tolérance comprend 2 étapes pour apporter confort et apaisement aux peaux intolérantes . 
Etape 1: la Gelée Micellaire Démaquillante élimine tout en douceur maquillage et impuretés pour les visages et les yeux les plus délicats.
Etape 2: La Crème Tolérance Riche nourrit, apaise et protège les peaux très sèches et sensibles.
OU Pour les peaux les plus réactives: La Crème Anti-Rougeurs Apaisante hydrate et soulage toutes les sensations d''inconfort , les rougeurs disparaissent pour révéler un teint unifié.
Soins spécifiques:
- Le Sérum Concentré Réparateur est un soin d'exception pour répondre aux besoins des peaux les plus exigeantes. Toute l'année ou en cure, il apaise, nourrit et répare pour un réconfort immédiat et durable. 
- Le Soin Apaisant Absolu est unique: sa fine brume enrichie à l'Aloe vera soulage dès l'application les peaux réactives ou fragilisées par le soleil, l'épilation et autres irritations du visage et du corps. 

Seed Capital Sought For Baobab Export Start Up

Unlike banks or other financial institutions, angel investors are willing to take a chance and invest smaller amounts of money in high-risk businesses, with the hopes of gaining high returns within a set period of time (usually five to ten years).

These individuals want to see positive change in Africa and are willing to use their own funds to finance projects that they believe will be lucrative or where they can use their talent and skill to mentor new entrepreneurs.

While Africa still has its economic obstacles to overcome - fairly high inflation on fuel and food prices and a high unemployment rate - investors see that the only way to ease these dilemmas is by bringing more business into the country, since investing only stimulates and revitalizes an economy. This is an opportunity to take a commodity in Africa and export to both the U.S. and Europe where there is a high demand.

We are a dynamic African start up  company seeking 100% financing however the risk /investment ratio is very good. We have a full business plan available and details for the interested investor/s.

1) We have a management team in place with a lead operations director with over 15 years in the sales, marketing and management.
2) We are seeking $125,000 to start operations. We would look at giving 25%-35% equity in the business to our angel investor.

We will position itself as a harvester, processor and broker for wild harvested organic baobab. We will specialise in providing intermediate agro-forestry baobab commodities to international manufacturers of finished products.

Our mission is to promote and develop sustainable agro-forestry in The Gambia for the mutual benefit of its people and its biodiversity. Our triple bottom line goal is promoting environmental, social and financial sustainability by providing new employment opportunities for rural communities in The Gambia.

Our eco-friendly processing facility will make full use of alternative and re-new able energy sources for its construction, design and operations. The harvesting period will take place between December and May, during this period the closed fruit will be collected, processed and packaged ready for export.

We will also secure GACP, HACCP, ISO, Organic and Fair Trade certifications to ensure a direct trade channel to international markets. This will enhance the monetary benefits for our rural harvesters in the Gambia and help secure long-term contracts with the harvesters to give the producer a secure basic income. This will be just one aspect that will characterize our fair trade policy.

 We have considered the effects of the world economic slow-down on the healthy foods sector and found those foods that delivered real health prevention benefits at a reasonable price had the best chance of survival.
A recent report by the UK-based Natural Resources Institute estimated that the trade in baobab fruit could be worth up to $1bn (£500m) a year for African producers, employing more than 2.5 million households across the continent.

Future growth in the functional food and drinks market will focus on natural and whole food, and scientific research into the influence of nutrients and specific ingredients on conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, CVD and Alzheimer’s disease.

The most important EU importers of fruit powders are Germany, France and The Netherlands, in recent years, a market has developed for food and beverages products that provide a specific positive impact on health. This market is growing rapidly and has a huge market potential, We will position ourself to tap into this growing market sector with our range baobab products. This is a tremendous opportunity to help move Africa forward and generate income with a large upside potential.

End-User Applications:                                                                                                                                       Functional food, cereal and energy bars, sport and energy drinks, vitamin and mineral supplements, diet supplements, high fiber products, anti-constipation preparations, anti-fever products, chewable tablets, energy strips, coffee, cereal additives, yogurt with symbiotic activities, fruit juice, smoothies, ice creams and shakes, powdered shakes, Soups, herbal tea, infusions, condiments and mixtures, cakes and biscuits.Shower/non-shower cosmetic products  soaps, gels, face masks for instant preparation, face-lift creams, botox extenders, lip and nail care, acne preparations, and stretch mark treatments, body moisturisers, after sun lotions, shampoos, hair conditioners, after shave, emollients, trichological products (presence of ceramids), solid and liquid soaps, toothpaste. powdered air fresheners with antibacterial action.

If you have an interest in taking a look at our project and having an informal chat please contact us for more information at 220-725-3773 or email - baobabharvester@gmail.com 

King Kombo Silla Enlightened under the Baobab Tree

Soninke-Marabout Wars

Began in the Gambia in the 1850s until 1901. It was essentially a civil war among the Mandinka tribe which erupted on both the north and south banks of the river. The Marabouts were holy Islamic clerics and teachers and the Soninke were Mandinka kings. The word Marabout was later extended to devout Muslims in general. In Senegal they were referred to as the Thiedo by the Wolof. The word Soninke comes from So-ni which is the Mandinka word for libation or sacrifice.

The Marabouts regarded those living outside Muslim towns as infidels or Kafirs. Thus they saw it as their religious duty to extend Islam to these people which eventually resulted in the Soninke-Marabout Wars which raged for decades from the 1850s. The war was similar to many Islamic Jihadist movements that emerged in other parts of West Africa in the nineteenth century. It should be noted that their aims were not just religious but had political and secular goals.

Birth of Ebrima Fode Kombo Silla

Manly Touray was King Silla's father Mbisin Njie, daughter of Burr Sine was his mother. Manly Touray, in the same way as his father, Amatora Touray, was a famous marabout. He traveled from Gunjur to other parts of the country and used to travel to Senegal too. One day during his visits to Senegal, he went to Sine and married the daughter of the king of Sine called Mbisin Njie. It happened that one Ebrima Sillah a famous marabout from Pakau Sillah   kunda was on visit in Gunjur when Fode was born. He asked Fode´s parents to name the baby after him and the parents agreed and named the baby Ebrima Sillah.

When Ebrima grew up to the age of learning the Koran, he was sent to Darsilami Sillah  kunda at Pakau in Cassamance to learn the Koran. He found many scholars and some of them were called Ebrima Sillah as well. To enable easy identification of those who had the name Ebrima, prefixes were added to their names.Ebrima learned the Koran quickly and within a short period, he made a fantastic progress in his lessons and had flying colours among his fellow scholars. In those days and even today, brilliant Koranic scholars who mastered the Koran well are given the title of "Fode".

Enlightenment Under The Baobab 

fter winning the title of "Fode" from DarsilamiSillah kunda, Ebrima Fode Kombo Sillah  returned to Gunjur and joined his family. He remained with his family for several years and left for the Island of Sangama to worship God. The Sangamar Island is in the Atlantic Ocean. Fode traveled to the Island through the help of the people of Nyombato.For sometime after crossing, Fode stayed and worshipped God in the Island, and one day, the people of Nyombato heard the beating of drums just in the same way as drums are beaten on Friday for prayers. It raised a lot of surprise among the inhabitants, as they have never heard the beating of drums from the Island. 

However, after sometime, the people who crossed Fode to the Island explained that a visiting marabout from Gunjur was there worshipping God. Few days later, Fode was seen sailing down to the shore from the Island on a praying skin. The following Friday morning, the people found him sitting down under a baobab tree. He prayed for them and they left. He remained under that baobab tree for a few days and left for Gunjur. 

Many ideas were associated to his trip to Sangamar Island but the most reasonable one was that he went to the Island of Sangamarand and sat under the Baobab tree where he was enlightened with the mission to take up the responsibility of ruling and spreading Islam in the Kombos.

Meeting At Gunjur

A delegation of Muslim elders was chosen to meet Fode to ask him to lead them in war against the Soninke villages in Brikama, Manduar, Kitte, Siffoe, Busumbala, Yundum, Lamin, Mandinaring, Latrikunda Mampatokoto, Talinding Kunjang, Serekunda, Bakau, Mandinaba, Tuba Kuta , Selety, Pirang, Farabanta, Farabasutu and Kafuta. He listened to them carefully and after they had finished, he replied that it was sad to hear of their troubles which took place in his absence, but at the same time, he was please to accept their offer to make him a leader.

In preparation for Jihad, Emir Fode made jujus monthly and put them into all Muslim village wells for the safety of the villagers against any possible disaster. One afternoon, while sitting down and discussing with the people, the Emir suddenly turned sad and the people asked him why he was so sad. He replied that nothing had happened to him. However after a little while, two horsemen arrived from Pirang and announced the murder of Arfang Tumani Jabang by the Soninke king.

Conquest of the Kombos

In further preparation for the inevitable Muslim and Soninke war, the Emir entered in a private praying period know as "Haluwa" and begged God to punish the Soninkes and make his people victorious in the war. He ordered the blacksmiths Amara Sulu Sawo of Gunjur, Saba Cham of Gunjur and Famara Keita of Tujereng to start making local guns and bullets in secret.When it was fairly dark enough, Fode made his soldiers to leave Sansanding to attack the principal Soninke villages of Brikama, Yundum and Busumbala. These three villages were not only known for their population but had also all the bravest Soninke warriors.

The company that attacked Brikama arrived at midnight, before the afternoon of the following day, the remaining soninkes either left Brikama or surrender to the Muslims. Having defeated Brikama, Fode`s troops advanced towards Yundum and Busumbala. They arrived at night and attacked Yundum at night. The battle here lasted more than a week because it was a very strong Soninke settlement full of brave warriors. According to some soldiers, the Soninkes of Yundum had opted to die rather to surrender to the Sillla's troops,

The Situation at Busumbala was the most critical one as compared to that of Yundum. Here, the battle took the longest time when compared to battles fought in any soninke village. Busumbala had more brave warriors than Yundum and the bees at Yarambamba forest created more problems for the Silla's soldiers. The bees were said to have been sent by the soninke idols and when they bit the Silla's men, they either died or were rendered completely useless and ineffective in the battle. In this way many warriors lost their lives in Busumbala and the whole army wereclose to defeat. As the situation turned more and more drastic on the side of the Muslims, the troop leaders sent for the Emir himself to come and see the situation himself.

On arrival, Fode was astonished and shed tears when he learned about the fall of his bravest soldiers. He immediately gave orders to withdraw the soldiers and report at Sansanding. He himself returned to Darsilami where he entered his hiding and begged God for the Jihad to end in favour of his troops.

Silla and the Ninki Nanka Dragon

His prayers were answered, and one morning when the Soninkes at Yundum and Busumbala got up from bed, they discovered that the whole villages of Yundum and Busumbala were ambushed by a mighty dragon. Nobody went in or out of the two villages for eight days, at the end of the eight day, the Soninke in both villagers sent word across to Emir Fode in Darsilami that they had surrendered and would become Muslims. The following night, the dragon disappeared. The victory for King Silla in Busumbala and Yundum which were the strongest Soninke settlements caused the rest of the Soninkes in Kombo to surrender to the Emir and joined his religion.

Baobab Approved for U.S. Consumers

The magnificent baobab tree, with its sturdy trunk and broad, root-like crown, is one of Southern Africa’s icons and a well-known sight in photographs and travel brochures. Not as well-known is the fact that the tree’s fruit and leaves are both edible, and the baobab fruit is particularly nourishing and rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Now, the benefits of baobab (Adansonia spp.) are to be experienced by millions of overseas consumers, with the September 2009 announcement that the US Food and Drink Administration (FDA) has approved the importation of baobab powder, made from the pulp of the fruit, into the US. This is significant for the hundreds of African farmers who derive a living from the massive trees.

Harare-based Phyto Trade Africa is the driving force behind the application for export. The announcement follows PhytoTrade’s successful application to the European Commission, which gave its approval for export to Europe in July 2008

PhytoTrade, a trade association, helps rural farmers in Southern Africa get their natural products to market. It represents thousands of producers across eight nations in the region and states its purpose as poverty alleviation and the protection of biodiversity by promoting sustainable, ethical and economically viable enterprises.

In October 2008 PhytoTrade prepared its submission to the FDA under the “generally recognised as safe” (Gras) classification. The Gras food additive classification indicates that the additive has been deemed safe for its intended use. The evaluation is performed by suitably qualified experts. Gras-certified additives are exempt from the usual full FDA pre-market review.

Now that Gras status has been conferred on locally produced baobab powder, PhytoTrade and its commercial partner, plant extract specialist Afriplex, will look at launching products in the US as soon as the beginning of November 2009.

PhytoTrade communications director Dr Lucy Welford, based in Cape Town, said the application has been put together with a view to capitalising on the current popularity of African food in overseas markets such as the US.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is another useful platform which will assist in the marketing of baobab products, by creating greater awareness of Africa and African foodstuffs. PhytoTrade hopes that products will be available locally in time for football's biggest tournament, which kicks off in June 2010.

Billion-dollar industry
PhytoTrade believes that baobab powder has the potential to spawn a billion-dollar industry, with health-conscious consumers showing increasing interest in exotic flavours and products that offer extra benefits, and adhere to Fairtrade  standards to boot.

Farmers are paid fairly for their produce and, said Afriplex, the big buyers also return a portion of their sales profits to the villages to fund community projects.

According to PhytoTrade’s CE, Gus Le Breton, there is already strong interest in the powdery substance. “Dozens of companies have shown interest in baobab since we submitted the application,” he said, “and many have already conducted initial research. Now that approval has been given, they can progress to full-scale product development.”

Health benefits
Baobab’s vitamin C content is up to three times that of an orange. In addition to its high levels of antioxidants, it contains natural fibre, calcium and iron. The fruit is also a source of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid), as well as pectin and citric, malic and succinic acids. Baobab oil contains vitamins A, D and E.

Both fruit and leaves can be eaten, while the bark is used to make rope.
Outside Africa the fruit and leaves of the baobab are not eaten directly – the fruit is generally processed first to the fine white powder and then added to food and drink products.

Baobab powder is particularly suited as a nutritious additive for thicker drinks such as smoothies, and can also be used in jams, cereals and cereal bars, and biscuits. The healthy drinks and snacks market is a top priority for PhytoTrade.

Tree of life
In Africa, the baobab grows primarily in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Madagascar, where it is the national tree. Baobabs can grow as old as 1 000 years.

According to a 2007 study written by marketing economist Ben Bennett of Britain’s Natural Resources Institute, the sustainable harvesting of baobabs has the potential to bring in an extra US$1-billion (R7.35-billion) into Africa annually. Up to 2.5-million poor households stand to gain work and income through this.

Wild harvesting of baobabs and collecting fruit from the trees or the ground will ensure the sustainability of the process. And as a source of income, baobabs will act as a deforestation deterrent because people will be more eager to protect them and less willing to chop them down to clear space for other crops.

Legends of the Baobab 2

In Madagascar, the Grandidier's baobab (Adansonia grandidieri), the most statuesque of the Malagasy species, is believed to be the dwelling place of spirits. Offerings are placed at its base to ensure fertility, a fine harvest, and good fortune.

At Dakfao Niger, there is a baobab sacred to the Imannen Tururag, high up the trunk are incantations, symbols and sacred texts.

Throughout Africa the baobab is venerated or regarded with awe, the absence of regeneration has led some communities to believe that it appeared by magic overnight, others believe the trees possess souls and ancient sprits, they can move during the night but must stay imobil during the day.

Along the Zambezi, the tribes believe that when the world was young the Baobabs were upright and proud. However for some unknown reason, they lorded over the lesser growths. The gods became angry and uprooted the Baobabs , thrusting them back into the ground, root upwards. Evil spirits now haunt the sweet white flowers and anyone who picks one will be killed by a lion.

One gigantic baobab in Zambia is said to be haunted by a ghostly python. Before the white man came, a large python lived in the hollow trunk and was worshipped by the local natives. When they prayed for rain, fine crops and good hunting , the python answered their prayers. The first white hunter shot the python and this event led to disastrous consequences. On still nights the natives claim to hear a continuous hissing sound from the old tree.

In the Kafue National Park in Zambia, one of the largest Baobabs is known as "Kondanamwali" - the tree that eats maidens. This enormous tree fell in love with the four beautiful girls who lived in its shade. When they reached puberty, they sought husbands and made the tree jealous. One night, during a raging thunderstorm, the tree opened its trunk and took the maidens inside. A rest house had been built in the branches of the tree. On stormy nights, it is the crying of the imprisoned maidens that make people inside tremble - not the sounds of the wild animals.

History Of The Baobab Tree

The Latin name for Baobab, Adansonia digitata, is in honour of the French botanist, Michel Adanson, who concluded that out of all the trees he had studied, the Baobab, ‘is probably the most useful tree in all’.

Although the tree is not native to Egypt, the fruit was known in the herb and spice markets of Cairo as early as 2500 BC. It was known as ‘bu hobab’, probably derived from the Arabic words ‘bu hibab’, which means ‘fruit with many seeds’.

The medicinal uses of the Baobab fruit were first officially praised by the Venetian herbalist and physician Prospero Alpini, in 1592, who noted that the ancient Egyptians used it for treating fevers, dysentery and bloody wounds. Known as the "Upside-down tree", the "Bottle tree" for its ability to hold water, or simply as the "Tree of life".

The baobab normally lives for about 500 years, but it is believed some are up to 6,000 years old and carries its own mystical identity and history that is traditionally accorded to age in Africa.

Baobab Mud Mask
by RAIN Created for Living

Mud, packed with nutrients, is the healing balm of Africa's wild animals. They wallow in natural mud baths to reduce infections, soothe skin irritations and to heal wounds.

Taking a leaf from nature's book, our human ancestors used a variety of different muds and clays for the same purpose as well as to protect their skin from the harsh sun and wind. Our mud contains capsicum to help stimulate blood circulation.

Baobab Shells

Baobab Half Shell

Baobab Fruit Half-Pod Cleaned Interiorly & Exteriorly.

For Gifts or Packaging